Removable level unit with clamping means



June 20, 19 50 v. BRIDY 2,512,135

REMOVABLE LEVEL UNIT WITH CLAMPING MEANS Filed April 29, 1948 2Sheets-Sheet 1 iz'czoivjlzfiflz'agz INVENTOR BY I I 0 ATTORNEYS June 20,1950 v. M. BRIDY 2,512,135

REMOVABLE LEVEL UNIT WITH CLAMPING MEANS Filed April 29, 1948 I 2Sheets-Sheet 2 rzzzzw zzawagy INVENTOR ATTORNEYS.

Patented June 20, 1950 OFFICE REMOVABLE LEVEL UNIT WlTH CLAMPING MEANSVictor M. Bridy, Atlas, Pa. v vApplication April 29, 1948, Serial No.23,984

1 Claim.

This invention relates to improvements in degree levels.

An object of the invention is to provide an improved construction ofdegree level which may be readily assembled or disassembled.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved constructionof degree level which will include cooperatin associated parts whichwill be held in assembled and operative position by means of a pluralityof resilient spring retaining members.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved degree levelincluding a plurality of cooperating parts and an adjustable weight forcorrectly setting the indicating hand or pointer of the level to itsproper and accurate zero degree setting.

A still further object of the invention is to provide an improvedconstruction of degree level which will be highly efiicient in operationand relatively inexpensive to manufacture and produce.

With the foregoing and other objects in view which will appear as thedescription proceeds, the invention consists of certain novel details ofconstruction and combinations of parts, hereinafter more fully describedand pointed out in the claim, it being understood that changes may bemade in the construction and arrangement of parts without departin fromthe spirit of the invention as claimed.

Referring to the drawings Figure 1 is a front elevation of the improveddegree level shown in assembled position.

Figure 2 is a sectional view taken n the line 2-2 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the rear ballast or looking springwith square stud used for holding the several parts of the degree levelin assembled position.

Figure 4 is a perspective view of one of the two level barrel or bodysecuring spring members used for locking the level barrel or body in itsreceiving bore in the level supporting stock.

Figure 5 is an edge view of the level dial cover member.

Figure 6 is a, front elevation of the level dial cover member.

Figure 7 is a front view of the degree level frame back plate with partthereof being broken away to show the cooperating intermeshed levelactuating gears.

Figure 8 is an edge view of the degree level frame with the dial plateshown in edge view adjacent thereto.

like characters of reference are used throughout the followingspecification and the accompanying drawings to designate correspondingparts. 7

In carrying out the invention, there is provided a stock I in which thedegree level is housed, said stock having parallel side edges 2 and 3,and end edges 4 and 5.

A bore 6 is formed in the flat side 1 of the stock I, and extendsinwardly towards the opposite flat side 8 of said stock I for receivingthe degree level.

The outer diametrically opposed portions of the bore 6 are slopedoutwardly as at 9 and Ill, and undercut slots H and 12 are formed indiametrically opposed relation in the bottom of said bore 6 below thesloped wall portions 9 and H). Opposed guide slots 13 and M' are formedin the outer surface I of the stock I and merge with said sloped wallportions 3 and ID.

A pair of U-shaped level barrel or body securin'g spring members l5 andI6 are provided with oppositely disposed inwardly extending lockingdetents I1 and IS. The outer side arms of the members It and I6 areslidably received in the guide slots l3 and I l when the inner side armsof the members 15 and I6 are secured in the diametrically opposedundercut slots II and [2. The outer ends of the outer side arms of themembers l5 and I6 are bent outwardly as at l9 and 20 for readilyengaging the same by the fingers of a hand and pushed outwardly to flexthe members l5 and I6 outwardly until they engage the sloping walls 9and In of the bore 6, thus releasing the locking detents I! and I8 fordisassembling the degree level.

The level dial cover member comprises an approximately square outerplate 2l in which a round opening 22 is formed, the same beingsurrounded by an annular flange 23 providing an annular seat 24 for theconcave dial cover glass 25.

The cover member is also formed with diametrically opposed arcuatepositioning walls 26 and 21 which extend inwardly therefrom, the samebeing formed with notches 28 in their inner edges and inwardly extendinglocking seats 29 in their outer surfaces in which the locking detents l1and [8 are adapted to be received.

An arcuate rear ballast or looking spring 30 of the leaf type isprovided with an integrally formed square locking stud 3| which will bereceived in the square bore 32' in the bottom of the bore 6 with theopposite ends of the spring disposed in the notches 28 in the walls 26and 21 of the cover member.

The degree level frame comprises front and back plates 32 and 33respectively, the same being secured in spaced parallel relation bymeans of the four spacing collars 34 through which bolts 35 are extendedand secured by the nuts 36. 0ppositely disposed outwardly extending ears6!! are formed on the ends of the rear plate 33 for being received inthe notches 2B in the dial cover 2 I.

A staff 3! is mounted for rotation between the front and back plates 32and 33, and has its outer end flattened to rectangular shape as at 38 tosupport the indicating pointer 39 formed with a similar shaped opening40 to receive the end 38, thus firmly holding the same in fixed positionupon the stall 31. A gear 4| is secured by the pin 42 upon the stafi 31and meshes with the larger gear 43 secured by the pin 44 upon the staff45 rotatably mounted between the front and back plates 32 and 33. Aweight 46 is ad-,

form of degree level which may be readily assembled and disassembled.

While the preferred embodiment of the instant invention has beenillustrated and described, it will be understood that it is not intendedto limit the scope of the invention thereto, as many minor changes indetail of construc- 4 tion may be resorted to without departure from thespirit of the invention.

What is claimed is:

In a degree level, a stock having a level-receiving opening formedtherein, a level dial cover member having recesses in the wall thereofproviding locking seats, a wall of the opening having slots extendinginwardly from one edge thereof, the rear wall of each slot being slopedoutwardly towards the outer edges thereof, spring members anchoredwithin the slots, the outer ends of the spring members being extendedlaterally roviding finger pieces, locking detents on the spring membersextending into the locking seats removably securing the level dialwithin the. level-receiving opening, and a locking spring engaging thewall of the level-receiving opening and'level held therein, forcing thelevel outwardly against the locking detents securing the level withinsaid level opening.

VICTOR 'M. BRIDY.

REFERENCES crrnn The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS

